What is ENERCA?

ENERCA is an acronym for European Network for Rare and Congenital Anaemias. It started back in 2002, funded by the European Commission, with the purpose of offering an improved public health service to professional medical practitioners and patients in every aspect of rare anaemias.

ENERCA is currently in its fourth phase (e-ENERCA), which started in september 2013. Its main objective is to provide professionals and patients with e-Health tools to ensure the same level of access to rare anaemias services across Europe. e-Health services will be developed through the implementation of three e-platforms endorsed on the ENERCA website.

The strategic relevance of e-ENERCA is the participation of health professionals, patients, health authorities and other stakeholders of all Member states in the design, validation and implementation of new e-Health services addressed to improve the tackle of rare anaemias. This will be undertaken by assuring the adequacy of the new proposed tools and services with the social, cultural and policy context according to the new Directive on Cross-Border Health Care (2011/24/EU).

Moreover, collaborative efforts will be undertaken to create a unique European registry for rare anaemias. As a contribution to the programme, e-ENERCA will take an action to decrease the cross-border health threats currently existing for information, samples and patient’s mobility reducing health inequalities between Member states. The establishment of a European Reference Network in rare anaemias will facilitate the effective implementation of the new e-platforms.

European added value

Preventing disease and promoting policies that lead to a healthier way of life is important for the well-being of European Union citizens. Accordingly, common principles in all European Union health systems must ensure clarity and confidence with regard to authorities setting and monitoring healthcare standards. For these two pivotal aspects, a specific framework for cross-border healthcare and European cooperation on health services will be developed. This cooperation has two main objectives: helping health professionals and improving patient care.

The last ENERCA phase started in 2013, e-ENERCA, is focused on the implementation of new ENERCA services through e-Health tools. Three different platforms accessible on the ENERCA website are being developed:

e-Registry for epidemiological surveillance

e-Learning for distance medical education

Telemedicine for bringing services for diagnosis and clinical advice for RA in distant locations.